2023 Nesting Barn Swallows 

This video provides a fascinating look at a group of 5 Barn Swallow nestlings. Every spring, a local dock becomes a nesting destination for returning barn swallows. They arrive in droves to the local area from wintering grounds in Central and South America. In the middle of May, male swallows will court a mate. The bonded pair will build a cup-shaped nest out of mud, grass, feathers, and twigs. The male fiercely guards the nest once it is built. The female lays a clutch of three to six eggs and incubates them for about two weeks. The young nestlings, fledge, or make first flight in about 3 weeks. However, chicks return to the nest after fledging for several weeks before they leave the nest for good.